Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 November 1899 — An Explosive Bean. [ARTICLE]

An Explosive Bean.

The “cigar bean” of Batavia is a wild fruit recently discovered In Batavia. The pod is like a cigar in shape and color, but only an inch long, and when put into water It rests on the surface for several minutes, then explodes like a torpedo, hurling the seed In all directions. If allowed to ripen in a warm place the pod gradually splits lengthwise from point to base. If left to ripen on the plant it splits open more suddenly.